Posted on Wed, Mar. 26, 2008

NCAA East notes: UNC faces shutdown Cougars

By Chip Cosby

CCOSBY@HERALD-LEADER.COM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --

The East Regional might allow America to finally settle the old tortoise vs. the hare debate.

Tonight's opening game features top-seed North Carolina, averaging a whopping 110.5 points through the first two rounds of the tournament, and No. 4 seed Washington State, who's averaging just 66 points in two contests while holding opponents to 40.5.

Washington State Coach Tony Bennett uses many of the same offensive and defensive philosophies that his father, Dick, implemented as a longtime coach at Wisconsin Green-Bay, Wisconsin and Washington State.

Those philosophies include the mover-blocker offense, a somewhat methodical attack that features a lot of screens and a tough, hard-nosed halfcourt defense. That combination often results in games in the 40s and 50s.

North Carolina Coach Roy Williams was somewhat critical of the older Bennett's system after the 2000 Final Four, when Bennett's Wisconsin trailed Michigan State 19-17 at the half and ultimately lost 53-41.

Williams attempted to clarify his views yesterday.

"I wouldn't say that I'm not a fan of that," he said. "I'm a fan of basketball going up and down the court. And I made the statement, and it got a great deal of play, and I called Dick, and he said, 'I understand.' The number of people that enjoy seeing 19-18 is not as many as the number of people that like to see 61-60. If you were to take a poll, you would pick 61-60. So I made a truthful statement, and Dick understood it. He knows I love the way they play defense, I will still say I like 19-18 OK, but I like 61-60 better. Dick and I have been good friends, and Tony, I love what he's doing with the club."

The younger Bennett takes exception to the notion that his team's style of play is boring.

"I'm used to it," he said. "Everybody has this perception that it's boring, it's slow, it's not fun. I think we play good basketball, we get our kids shots, and they learn how to guard and play with the ball.

"Call it what you want. We just have to find a way to be successful. We've turned it around the last couple years, and we don't fly up and down. Occasionally we will, but when we're successful I think our fans appreciate it, and it gives us the best chance."

Home cookin'

This weekend's regional will likely have the feel of a Tar Heel Invitational. In anticipation of North Carolina getting a No. 1 seed and landing in Charlotte, UNC fans gobbled up most of the tickets well before the NCAA Tournament pairings were announced.

Several thousand North Carolina fans filled the lower level of Charlotte Bobcats Arena to watch the Tar Heels practice yesterday, and there figures to be plenty of powder blue among the 19,000 seats tonight.

Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl noted, however, that the three other teams in the regional have all played in tough conference games on the road during the season.

"I think it can be an advantage because it can inspire North Carolina in a very positive way, but I don't think the crowd is going to do anything to intimidate Washington State, Louisville or Tennessee at this point."

Padgett, Williams reunited

Louisville senior center David Padgett will get to catch up with his old coach Roy Williams in Charlotte this week. The two also met earlier this season when both teams played in the Las Vegas Invitational.

Padgett was recruited to Kansas by Williams in 2004 before Williams left for the North Carolina job. Padgett left Kansas after one season and considered joining Williams in Chapel Hill before deciding on Louisville.

"Coach Williams and I have always had a great relationship, and I have great respect for him, but it was just one of those situations where I felt that Louisville was going to be a better spot for me overall," Padgett said.

Williams said he was attracted to Padgett's versatility as a 6-foot-11 post player.

"I loved him when I was recruiting him because he was a big guy who could run, catch, pass, and had savvy," Williams said. "I think he's showing all those things now. (Louisville Coach) Rick (Pitino) has done a great, great job with him."